Having an ideal career is a dream for all. For those, who are standing on the threshold of stepping into the corporate world and the ones in it facing a constant pressure to perform. Now the catch 22 situation is where you are asked to plan a career!

If it was so much under my control to sketch and build a perfect career, would I not become the next Bill Gates? But taking all the external and internal factors into account I still can do a bit of planning. Let's say a bit of preparation to deal with a lot of happening days!

The very basic is to know what you actually want. What kind of a company are you ready to work in? Which work culture will enable you to perform? The people you want to work with. Do you want them to be behaving formally or you want to work in a fun place? Work profile you want. Do you wish to be a leader or a follower? The roles and responsibilities you want to take? How strong is your emotional quotient for some not so desirable work situations? What kind of benefits and compensation you want from the company? Answers to all these questions will bring out a picture of what kind of a career you desire!

Also draft a sketch of must haves you can't do without! This is a category that has a big impact on your career. It is obvious that delightful factors make you perform better than in regular situations. But factors like a good machine to work on is a necessity but the same affair could get delightful if your company gave you a latest technology laptop! So make sure your must have list is not over-powered by things that delight you! Must-haves are very important. They are absolute requirements. While you may give up some of your "wants," must-haves are essential and cannot be compromised.

Let us list down a few areas where we need to divide our expectations into categories of- Must Have, Don't Want, Delightful and Entertaining.

We must have guidelines to decide which company to work with. This shall also include if you are ready to move out of your city. Drive for more than 2 hours everyday.

Culture and people in the work place. We can't change these factors, but can decide not to work in a place where it's not comfortable.

The kind of work you want to do. The designation or position you want to work at. This is an absolute directive of your capabilities in terms of your educational qualification and post experience.

If other benefits like health insurance, one day working from home, 9 to 6 working hours, 10 days vacation every year (with pay) are attractive to you or larger salary for endless work hours 6 days a week and work from home on Sundays??

Emotional analyses of ones own self is a must! It will give you an insight to your short falls and will enable you to improve.

Also mention what kind of fun you prefer in a work place. Or you just want to work and get home! Be sure as this can lead to monotony and depression.

Building an ideal career is like building your home, with your own architecture that suits your requirements. But remember even when we are designing our dream home we do adjust with the requirements of our family member or say the unavoidable external factors for a perfect career!